The Leadership Workshop for Political Activists

Join us for a day of richly stimulating and intensely thought-provoking workshop on “Making the Leap: From Discussing Politics to Changing Paradigms”

This workshop – the first of its kind in India – is aimed at helping concerned and aware citizens make the transition to active politics. For those of you who may be wonderingwhy bother with politics?, here is the reason, courtesy Sanjeev Sabhlok:

Of the things we take for granted in our lives, politics must surely rank the highest. Politics determines policy, and policy determines our lives.

It impacts whether our children will be around to look after us in our old age; whether we will be taken quickly to hospital after a hit-and-run road accident – indeed, whether there will be an emergency vehicle available at all or even whether a hospital will exist; whether we will find a job; whether we will find a house to live in; whether our street will have functioning drains; and so on.

Virtually everything in our lives is determined by politics, even how we respond to relentless terrorism.We neglect politics only at great peril.

The difference between the life of citizens in genuinely free countries and in India boils down to the difference in the quality of politics in these countries.It is therefore better to control politics than to let it control us.

Of the things we take for granted in our lives, politics must surely rank the highest. Politics determines policy, and policy determines our lives. It impacts ; whether we will find a job; whether we will find a house to live in; whether our street will have functioning drains; whether we will be taken quickly to hospital after a hit-and-run road accident – indeed, whether there will be an emergency vehicle available at all or even whether a hospital will exist…and so on. Virtually everything in our lives is determined by politics…We neglect politics only at great peril.

Of the things we take for granted in our lives, politics must surely rank the highest. Politics determines policy, and policy determines our lives.

It impacts whether we will find a job; whether we will find a house to live in; whether our street will have functioning drains; whether we will be taken quickly to hospital after a hit-and-run road accident – indeed, whether there will be an emergency vehicle available at all or even whether a hospital will exist…and so on. Virtually everything in our lives is determined by politics…We neglect politics only at great peril.

This workshop will help you make the leap from discussing politics to changing paradigms. It will be conducted by Shantanu Bhagwat (aka B Shantanu).

…Our actions today: whether we choose the politics of freedom, or connive with the politics of collectivism and corruption, will determine our future.

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The Workshop will be led by Shantanu Bhagwat (aka B Shantanu). Shantanu is a political activist, blogger, advisor to start-ups, seed investor. He is also a one time VC and spent several years in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS, 1991). He is the author of one of the most popular blogs on Indian politics: || Satyameva Jayate || For the more curious amongst you, there is morehere. Alternatively, please have a look at some recent media coverage (links below the registration form). As Shantanu mentioned during one of his recent talks:

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is how do I get involved in Politics? Unfortunately the answer is neither short nor simple…

Programme Details: This one-day workshop is aimed at aspiring political leaders and activists who wish to transition to full-time politics in the near future. In the workshop, I hope to distill learnings from my last few years of political activism and outline steps to a full-time political career. The day and the various sessions will help you reflect on your own career path and the changes that you need to focus on to end up where you want to be.

Who Should Attend: Aspiring political leaders, activists, professionals and students interested in considering politics as a full-time career. Please note that the numbers will be limited to 20 participants for each workshop.

Workshop Dates: 9th July (Sat) in Bengaluru and 16th July (Sat) in Pune (venue to be confirmed closer to the date).

Workshop Fees:Rs 1500/- for the full day (will include background readings, lunch and refreshments). Early registrations: Rs 1200/- for the full day. The fees have been deliberately kept at a modest level and is aimed at covering costs. More details below the fold (and here is the link to the live chat on 21st May @ 730pm IST).

Please enter your email address below to register your interest in this programme and to receive updates and further information as details get confirmed.

In this one-day programme Shantanu will share his thoughts, tips and suggestions on how you can influence people, articulate policies, plot your political career and bring about fundamental and lasting change. He will discuss his experiences as a political activist over the last few years and share key learnings with the participants. The workshop will be interactive. It will comprise discussions, presentations, individual reflection and group/ paired exercises. During the day, you will get a chance to explore questions like:

How do I join “politics”?

Can I really bring about change?

I have neither money nor any family connections to “Politics”. Do I stand any chance?

How can I chart my political career?

Most importantly, the workshop will help you reach a definitive answer to the question: Is this really something I want to do? For more details and any questions or clarifications, please join the live online chat on 21st May and/or leave a comment below.